The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-09-21
Shielding q Refugee.

The history of the Forty-second Mas
sachusetts Regiment, by Sergeant
major Charles p. Bosom, is one of the
more interesting of the war books that
have been published. A portion of
the regiment was captured at Calves
ton, and the enlisted men were then
sent through the lines to be exchanged
In connection with this regiment the
author tells the following story
"There was one smart affair managed
successfully bya few warrant officers of
the Forty-second that saved the life of
Andrew Roman, a Texan refugee,
who was struggled through as mem
Der OF the regiment with great diff
Guilty, and when detection was almost
certain. Roman, who had formerly
lived in one of the New England
States, was at the head of little band
of refugees who quartered on Kuhn's
wharf under protection of the naval
guns, and was of great benefit to the
fleet before the land forces arrived, as a
spy, from his intimate acquaintance
with the inhabitants and country in the
immediate vicinity of Galveston. His
person, character and the service he
rendered United States officers was
well-known to the confederate leaders;
hence he was marked man. OF me-
dunn size, he wore an immense beard
OF great length, almost covering his
face to his eyes, and up to the time of
surrender wore citizens clothes. After
the surrender, and when names of
prisoners were taken by the confeder-
ate officers, Roman was not to be seen,
and it was surmised by the boys that he
had escaped to the fleet. BY some
lucky chance he had safely hid away,
until, at a favorable moment, he Joined
the ranks on the march through Calves
ton towards Virginia Point, cladi in blue
army blouse, buttoned close to the neck,
covering the long, flowing part of his
beard, wearing fatigue cap, and with
knapsack upon his shoulders. On ar
rival at Houston he was partly shaved
by Sergeant Frye. Company d, who
left him with whiskers of the mutton
chop style. Each successive shave was
improved to alter the style of cut to the
hair upon his face. A sailor from the
Harriet Lane " assisted at times in
these tonsorial duties. Shortly after
arriving in Houston the confederate
officers began to inquire after Roman,
their actions indicating they suspected
he was among the prisoners. A great
difficulty to overcome was passing him
through the roll-calls, as confederate
officers attended these calls of names,
which were made one company at
time. Roman would dodge from one
company in line, ready for roll-call, to
the ranks of a company whose roll-call
in, ic Nv
active in getting him through, and man
aged with success for some time in this
way. Feeling confident he was among
the prisoners, last effort was made to
detect him when the men were ready
to march for the depot. The companies
were separately ordered into line, out
side the quarters. AS each name was
called the man stepped to the front and
had his name checked. Roman, who saw
that his chances to get off with the rest
were very slim, prudently remained in
the building, and the rolls were found
correct. Company G had passed out of
the gate, leaving the other companies
inside, when Sergeant Phil Hackett
obtained permission to 90 into the
quarters for some few things he stated
were left there, and in short time
came out followed by Roman, whom
he rated soundly with abuse and curses
for having left the ranks to 90 back to
quarters without leave. On his APP
proach toward confederate Lieutenant
Todd, who stood at the gate, Roman
was the picture of devil-may-care sort
of man, putting away at large pipe,
with broom thrown over his shoulder.
Lieutenant Todd sharply asked why he
was there, and Roman replied that
Sergeant Goodrich had sent him back
to get broom to sweep the cars, be-
cause they were covered with charcoal
dust. Todd asked his name, and Ro-
main gave one suggested to him by
Hackett. Calling for Sergeant Good
rich, Todd inquired who he had sent
back, the sergeant answering with the
same name that Roman used, for
Hackett and Goodrich were acting in
concert. Examining the roll of Com
pany G., the name was found, and Ro-
main was ordered to get out of here
The whole thing was so neatly planned
and carried out by the two sergeants
that the confederates were completely
hoodwinked, and Roman got off with
the prisoners. After leaving Houston
it was easy work to pass him along. He
left wife and child at Galveston,
who probably thought him dead. He
was able to give valuable information
to General Banks regarding Texas, and
Andrew Roman was afterwards in the
secret service corps of the Gulf de-
partment. He was a brave man. 1t
required uncommon fortitude to bear
up under the constant dread of capture
which must have haunted him, as death
was certain were he discovered From
the fact that Roman was armed with
a revolver, furnished by some friendly
hand, it is surmised that if discovered he
would have sold his life dearly, if not
contemplating suicide rather than fall
into confederate hands. A man of